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Penn Transplant Institute

Heart

• About Our Program
• About Our Team
• Heart Transplant Process
  • Transplant Evaluation
  • Before Transplant
  • Transplant Procedure
  • After Transplant
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After Heart Transplant

Patients awaken from surgery in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) attached to many tubes attached and with medical equipment surrounding the bed. Patients who have had open-heart surgery are familiar with what to expect. A breathing tube and ventilator assists them with breathing during surgery and while waking up. They are unable to talk while the tube is in place. Typically, the breathing tube is removed when patients are fully awake from the anesthesia — usually 8 to 24 hours after surgery. Soft restraints are placed on patients’ wrists to keep them from accidentally pulling on tubes as they wake up. The restraints are removed once patients are awake.

For several days following surgery, patients receive medications through an intravenous (IV) line and catheters are placed in the neck, arms, bladder and wrist to assist with monitoring blood pressure and flow and to drain urine from the bladder.

Cardiothoracic Step-Down Unit

When their condition is stabilized – usually two to three days following surgery – patients are transferred to the cardiothoracic step-down unit. Transplant patients have a private room while in the hospital to protect them from infection. Although family and friends may visit, they are asked to avoid visiting if they have a cold, fever or feel sick. Everyone entering the room must first wash their hands.

After moving to the step-down unit, patients slowly begin exercising their new heart. A physical therapist and occupational therapist evaluate the patients’ exercise abilities and conduct group physical therapy sessions as well as one-on-one therapy, if needed. This is the beginning of the journey to recovery and return to physical fitness. Normally, heart transplant patients are ready to go home 10 to 14 days following surgery.

Follow Up Care

The first three to six months following the transplant are a period of adjustment for patients, their family and friends. Patients are unable to drive for six to eight weeks following surgery, and come to the Penn Transplant Institute weekly — sometimes twice weekly — for checkups. After several weeks, the visits become less frequent.

With proper care, most heart transplant patients are able to resume an active lifestyle, including playing sports and working a full-time job. The transplant team continues lifelong monitoring of all transplant recipients, monitoring for infection, rejection and the effects of drug therapy. Ongoing disease prevention is encouraged as the key for continued good health. Patients need to reestablish contact with their local physician or clinic after their heart transplant to receive care for other health problems, immunization updates and to track their general health.

The risk of developing transplant coronary disease and cancer, particularly skin cancer, continues throughout transplant recipients’ lives. Patients undergo annual evaluations that include: blood work, an echocardiogram, stress test, cancer screening and complete physical. It is very important to continue a lifestyle of exercise, eating a healthy low-fat and low-sodium diet, practicing good hygiene and to remaining smoke-free. The transplant team provides support in these endeavors.

For more information, please view our patient guide.